My passion for nursing and dedication to the field have been shaped by several impactful experiences that have led me to envision a fulfilling future as a nurse. To provide context, my interest in nursing was ignited by the tragic events of the Twin Tower attacks in 2001 when I was in fourth grade. Witnessing the heroic efforts of medical professionals during that time inspired me to aspire to become a battlefield medic, driven by the desire to make a positive impact in the face of adversity. At the age of 17, immediately after graduating from high school, I made the pivotal decision to enlist in the Air Force to pursue my passion for serving and caretaking. Despite not being able to fulfill my original dream and being reclassified, I was undeterred in my pursuit of learning and became an augmented medic. It was during my basic training that I felt a profound calling towards the nursing profession. This calling was further reinforced by a poignant incident where my dorm chief tragically passed away in front of us due to cardiac arrest. This event deeply affected me and served as a catalyst for me to further my medical knowledge, enhance my leadership skills, and strengthen my trauma response abilities. My determination to expand my skills was tested when I found myself as a first responder at the scene of a major car accident caused by a hit-and-run driver. In a high-pressure situation, I provided vital triage care to the victims by preventing shock, applying gauze to wounds, and offering crucial emotional support until the paramedics arrived. These experiences, along with several others, heightened my confidence in handling traumatic situations and reinforced my ability to improvise medical procedures when necessary. The profound impact of these experiences has confirmed my calling to become a trauma and flight nurse, particularly focusing on providing assistance in rescue operations at the scene of emergencies. The prospect of being able to save lives during the critical first hour after an accident and comforting families with reassuring updates about their loved ones' well-being brings me immense satisfaction. Furthermore, my background in psychology, volunteer work, and advocacy for suicide prevention will position me to provide holistic and compassionate care to patients throughout their recovery journey. I am eager to integrate these skills and experiences into my future role as a nurse, aiming to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.

It's important to mention that when 9/11 happened, I was in fourth grade at the time, and at that point, all I knew was I was going to join the fight. Entering the military, I had some of the most significant opportunities to grow as a human being. Joining at 17, I was undisciplined, and through my cadre and the flight I was assigned, I learned more about being more than one's self. My bunkmate, a person I flew in with from Detroit, became our dorm chief. In our seventh week, he collapsed and later died. During that last week, I remembered our conversation about going to Ryan's, a local chain in Michigan. Through his memory, I learned that life is precious and our time matters. He tirelessly assisted us through the many obstacles that we faced; because of this, I chose to selflessly ensure that individuals that I met in the future would never be without someone. Day or night, I always picked up the phone for someone, happening many times in Biloxi. The second training phase at Sheppard hit me the hardest when we discovered we had lost another airman who had checked into his first base, which hurt the most when no one in formation knew his name. That failed our core value of "Never Leave an Airman Behind." Once again, this drove me to know everyone possible, which I carried to my first base. This put me in a lot of dark situations as mental health finds itself to be a significant component that plagues the military. My efforts were never for ribbons or awards, even with my countless hours of community service assisting disabled veterans and the local animal rescue. I believe one of the more notable events was during a car crash; I pulled a civilian out of a burning car, and then I realized what it meant to put "Service Before Self." afterward, I administered medical support that I learned through the military until rescue crews could arrive. The people I served with changed my view that freedom doesn't come free, which I learned from being attached to AFSOC deployed. I also learned you can only be in a country with other people. That deployment brought me closer to that truth, as we served tier 1 operators and foreign fighters. Because of this, I also learned that hope and bravery can prevail when the world gets dark. This was taught to me through the death of Moaz al-Kasasbeh, for who I wear a bracelet in memory of his sacrifice. In further answering the question of impacted life regarding the military. I left the military with the view that our country needs people to keep the legacy and torch burning that our forefathers built this country on, which was brotherhood. I have spent the last few years walking the halls of the VA, homeless camps, and nursing homes, working with veterans and always attempting to keep their legacy alive through the stories they tell me.

It's important to mention that when 9/11 happened, I was in fourth grade at the time, and at that point, all I knew was I was going to join the fight. Entering the military, I had some of the most significant opportunities to grow as a human being. Joining at 17, I was undisciplined, and through my cadre and the flight I was assigned, I learned more about being more than one's self. My bunkmate, a person I flew in with from Detroit, became our dorm chief. In our seventh week, he collapsed and later died. During that last week, I remembered our conversation about going to Ryan's, a local chain in Michigan. Through his memory, I learned that life is precious and our time matters. He tirelessly assisted us through the many obstacles that we faced; because of this, I chose to selflessly ensure that individuals that I met in the future would never be without someone. Day or night, I always picked up the phone for someone, happening many times in Biloxi. The second training phase at Sheppard hit me the hardest when we discovered we had lost another airman who had checked into his first base, which hurt the most when no one in formation knew his name. That failed our core value of "Never Leave an Airman Behind." Once again, this drove me to know everyone possible, which I carried to my first base. This put me in a lot of dark situations as mental health finds itself to be a significant component that plagues the military. My efforts were never for ribbons or awards, even with my countless hours of community service assisting disabled veterans and the local animal rescue. I believe one of the more notable events was during a car crash; I pulled a civilian out of a burning car, and then I realized what it meant to put "Service Before Self." afterward, I administered medical support that I learned through the military until rescue crews could arrive. The people I served with changed my view that freedom doesn't come free, which I learned from being attached to AFSOC deployed. I also learned you can only be in a country with other people. That deployment brought me closer to that truth, as we served tier 1 operators and foreign fighters. Because of this, I also learned that hope and bravery can prevail when the world gets dark. This was taught to me through the death of Moaz al-Kasasbeh, for who I wear a bracelet in memory of his sacrifice. In further answering the question of impacted life regarding the military. I left the military with the view that our country needs people to keep the legacy and torch burning that our forefathers built this country on, which was brotherhood. I have spent the last few years walking the halls of the VA, homeless camps, and nursing homes, working with veterans and always attempting to keep their legacy alive through the stories they tell me.

I have come to prioritize education as a central focus in my life, especially since I am living on a fixed income. Transitioning into a new career field has necessitated taking out loans for the first time, as I am no longer eligible for grants. Consequently, I have had to rely more on my partner to provide food for our family. Additionally, I have taken on the responsibility of supporting my brother following our father's passing, as he is struggling to find work due to his disability. Despite these financial challenges, I am determined to become a nurse in order to better support not only my own family but also my brother. Furthermore, due to financial constraints, I have faced difficulties in continuing the humanitarian project I had initiated. This project aimed at aiding homeless individuals by providing them with necessary items and tailoring the assistance according to their specific needs. My desire to assist those less fortunate is deeply rooted in my own experiences with homelessness during my youth. Having had the privilege of joining the military, I gained valuable lessons in discipline and humility. Upon leaving the military, I discovered a newfound passion for working with veterans and seniors, as well as individuals without homes. As I pursue a career in nursing, I aspire to provide care through non-profit organizations to address the challenges that immigrants and homeless individuals encounter in our country. To expand on my goals, I envision creating a community outreach program that provides healthcare services to underserved populations, including immigrants and homeless individuals. I want to bridge the gap in healthcare access and work towards creating a more inclusive and compassionate society for all. Additionally, I am exploring options to collaborate with local agencies and healthcare providers to establish sustainable support systems for those in need. In light of the financial obstacles I am currently facing, I am actively seeking scholarship opportunities and exploring alternative funding sources to further my education and contribute to my humanitarian efforts. I firmly believe that with determination and resilience, I can overcome these challenges and make a meaningful impact in the lives of others. In summary, my journey towards becoming a nurse and continuing my humanitarian work is fueled by a deep sense of empathy, a commitment to service, and a strong belief in the transformative power of education and healthcare. Despite the hurdles I face, I remain unwavering in my dedication to making a positive difference in the world.